Lao Tzu Quotes

Life calls not for perfection, but for completeness.

The idea that happiness could have a share in beauty would be too much of a good thing.

Success to me is having ten honeydew melons and eating only the top half of each slice.

Happy the man when he has not the defects of his qualities.

Nobody has it all, but for me to even come close is amazing.

In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures, life may perfect be.

We learn from our gardens to deal with the most urgent question of the time: How much is enough?

Whether you're successful or not, you'll never actually feel the joys of accomplishment unless you love yourself. Success can be very difficult to deal with. You have to stay in the center. If you let your success define you, then you're really just setting yourself up for failure.

Imperfection and perfection go so hand in hand, and our dark and our light are so intertwined, that by trying to push the darkness or the so-called negative aspects of our life to the side... we are preventing ourselves from the fullness of life.

I did everything I wanted to when I had nothing.

One tournament win doesn't make you perfect.

Take pride in your work. But it is not all there is.

It would be nice to say I won seven world titles, yet I want a good life as well while I play.

Life will go on. I suppose the aura of the Nobel is such that my life will change, but I don't think I'm going to let it change much. You understand, I'm used to a quiet life.

To accomplish the perfect perfection, a little imperfection helps.

To be perfect, one lacks only a defect.

The defective can be more than the entire.

I like first class, but I don't like first class people - I prefer the people in coach. I like fine restaurants, but prefer the taste of McDonalds. I like to be perfect, but I don't like perfection - I think it's dangerous. There is nothing after perfection. I know, I am a walking contradiction.

The sage never strives for the great, and thereby the great is achieved.

It feels great to be on top of the world but the greatest feeling is when your feet are on the ground.

Do nondoing, strive for non-stiving, savor the flavourless, make much of little, repay enmity with virture; plan for difficulty when it is still easy, do the great while it is still small.

What man has more than enough and gives it to the world? Only the man of Tao.

Who has excess and supplies the world? Only the one who follows the Way.

The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as a stone.